The trick-or-treaters are gone, and Halloween is quickly fading into a distant memory. But the calories we consumed during the merriment are still haunting us.

Making changes in favor of a healthier lifestyle doesn’t have to be daunting, says Steven Becker, whose Steven Becker Fine Dining team operates Nadoz Café. To take that first step, many people are turning to fresh juice bars, such as the Squeeze Juice Bar offered at Nadoz. “Raw juice bars are common and popular all over the coasts and we’re one of the first in St. Louis to offer them,” he says. “We do seven juices, and the most popular is the Mean Green, with kale, celery, apple and parsley. Kale is a superfood, celery is also very healthy, and the apple gives it some sweetness.”

‘Juicing,’ as the trend is known, is gaining in popularity because of its health benefits. With most Americans not getting anywhere near the recommended eight servings of fruits and vegetables per day, these fresh, unprocessed juices are a convenient alternative for many people, Becker notes. “These juices have all sorts of incredible vitamins and minerals that you’re injecting straight into the blood stream. Because it’s liquid, it goes right into the system and you feel it immediately,” he says. “You’re giving the digestive system a rest, and letting all these vegetables be absorbed more efficiently.”

Variety is another key part of good nutrition, and fresh juice bars help in that area, as well, Becker notes. “If you eat a salad, you tend to eat the same vegetables every time—lettuce, carrots and tomatoes,” he says. “If you juice, you could be getting cucumbers, cabbage, apple, lemon, ginger or beets—they’re unique and different fruits and vegetables.” And unlike packaged juice drinks, the Squeeze Juice Bar’s offerings are made from fruits and vegetables juiced right in front of the customer. “It’s fresh juice with no preservatives or pasteurization, and we pride ourselves that it’s so fresh,” he says.

Apart from the juice selections, Nadoz’s full menu is stacked with fresh, made-from-scratch ingredients, Becker notes. “We make our own English muffins with flax seed, which is an incredibly healthy seed. They’re not out of the freezer or the bag; they’re made in-house. We serve them topped with scrambled egg whites, baby spinach, low-fat herb cream cheese and tomatoes. It’s one of our most popular breakfasts.” Other healthy menu items include salads, wraps, yogurt parfaits and sandwiches, with plenty of gluten-free options available. Southwest quinoa, a high-protein, gluten-free supergrain, is offered as a side with all entrees.

With locations right across the street from Saint Louis University and at The Boulevard in Richmond Heights, and a new location planned to open at Taubman Prestige Outlets in Chesterfield in January 2014, Nadoz Café’s healthy alternatives are meeting the needs of a clientele that demands the highest quality, Becker says. “At The Boulevard location, we get a tremendous amount of business from ladies who come from The Bar Method. They go to their workout classes, and then they come afterwards to get juice, or they’re looking for salads or lean protein options to refresh themselves. It’s all part of a healthy lifestyle.”

On the Cover: Nadoz Café’s Squeeze Juice Bar complements a full menu of healthy options suited to an active lifestyle. Offering locations at the Coronado in Grand Center at 3701 Lindell Blvd., #12 The Boulevard in Richmond Heights and a soon-to-open location at Taubman Prestige Outlets. For more information, call 446-6800 (Coronado), 726-3100 (The Boulevard) or visit nadozcafe.com.